4 Dresses You'll Need to Survive Party Season

Is it premature to prep for Christmas parties in October? I think not! I’ve already seen the first parols go up in my neighborhood, and there’s a Santa standee guarding the National Bookstore entrance. Plus, my iPod inexplicably reverts to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” whenever I put it on shuffle (time to re-watch Love, Actually).

So I guess I’ll just ignore the strangely scorching weather we’ve been having this week and take that as my cue to dive into the dress talk. Yay!

Anyone who reads this column knows I’m a sucker for a fine frock—and I think it’s fair to assume that many of you are, too. My fascination reaches its apex during the holidays, when the prettiest ones come cascading out in waterfalls. Really, when is there a better time for the ornate fabrics that are too heavy for summer, beadwork that’s too flimsy for monsoon season, and super-sparkly numbers you’ve been dying to parade but are too shy to wear in either clime?

The way I see it, when the Fall/Winter collections start rolling out abroad, it’s a fashion free-for-all. Wear what you want whenever you want. You only live once! After all, to quote my most kikay friend: “Walang exagge-exagge sa Pasko.”

I know there’s still two months to go before the Christmas season is legit, but that doesn’t matter a whit when you’re on a mission. Go on, start your search for a dazzling holiday dress that makes you look like a million bucks—and gives your inner fashion animal the warm fuzzies. And why stop at one when you can have four? Live a little. Scrimping on your dress-shopping won’t do you any favors in a season loaded with special occasions (and there will be many, I assure you).

Have I put you in the mood? Good. Let’s do this starter-kit style! You’ll need:

(1) A reflective metallic dress(2) A pristine frock in winter white(3) An LBD that’s textured, rather than matte(4) Any dress in a ravishing jewel tone.

See how Manila’s fashion set wore each of them this year, one party at a time. Whether you replicate each outfit or rehash them with your own personal touches, they’ll take you to every single fête you’ve lined up on your social calendar. Or at least, will have—soon!

(In-article photo from Gossip Girl courtesy of The CW. All other gallery photos by Mike Dee, unless otherwise stated.)